Lateral arm awning



Jan. 24, 1939. F' ANTONr I I 2,144,827

LATERAL ARM AwNING Filed Feb. i7', 193e 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 nventor Jan. 24, 1939.

LATERAL ARM AWNING Filed Feb. 17,. 1936 3 Sheets-sheet `2 *u* (1 e m Q I fr 25 af '29 Z7,

Gttorneg" F. A. ANTON 24,144,827

Jan. 24, 1939. F. A. ANTON LATERAL ARM AWNING 5 Sheets-Sheet iled Feb. 17, 1956 Snnentor 'PedeckA/I Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,144,827 LATEBAL ARM AWNTNG Application February 17, 1936, Serial No. 64,352

11 Claims.

This invention relates to lateral arm awnings and constitutes a continuation in part of my application for patent for Lateral arm awning, filed January 3l, 1934, Serial No.' 709,112, on which Patent No. 2,038,259, issued April 21, 1936. This invention has as one of its objects to provide means for tensioning the awning arms to insure quick and easy opening movement from folded or collapsed position and my object is to provide mechanism of this character for use primarily in combination with a tubular inner arm, whereby nearly all of the operating mechanism is concealed Within the arm.

Another object of the invention is to produce means whereby the tension or force resisting the movement of the outer arm may be maintained substantially the same throughout the range of movement of the outer arm, through a progressive shift in leverage of the outer arm on the tension means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a modified and simplified tilt adjustment for the pivot bolt connecting the outer arm to the inner arm, omitting the eccentric movement shown in my aforesaid application for patent.

A still further object of the invention is to produce a tension mechanism for use in combination with awning arms which will accommodate the tilting of the pivot bolt connecting the arms.

With the general objects named in view and others as will hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain novel and useful features of construction and organization of parts as hereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a section of a lateral arm awning.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section through the outer end of the inner arm with a portion of the outer arm shown in section and in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a section on the line III-III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a modified construction of the outer end of the inner arm, and illustrates the outer arm pivoted thereto.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken through the construction shown in Figure 5.

Figure '7 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a section on the line VIII- V111 of Figure 6. Y

Figure 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of' Figure 6.

Figure l is an enlarged perspective view oi the reciprocating rack arm forming a part of the construction shown in Figures and 6.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through a slightly modified form of arm, in which the inner end of the inner arm is rotatable within the socket or yoke member, the latter being pivotedly connected to the hanger, which, in turn, is carried by the wall bracket.

Figure 12 is a section on the line XII-XII of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a section on the line XIII- XIII of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a section on the line XIV-XIV of Figure 11.

Figure 15 is a view of, the socketed yoke member taken at right angles to said member, as it appears in Figure 11. Y

Figure 16 is an enlarged end View of the outer end of the inner arm.

Figure 17 is a section on the line XVII- XVII vof Figure 11. Y

In the said drawings, where like reference characters .identify corresponding parts in all of the figures, I indicates the inner arm of a lateral arm awning construction, which is shown as of tubular form, the inner end thereof tting in a socket or yoke member la., pivotally mounted in a hanger Ih, which is carried as customary by the wall bracket Ic. Referring particularly to Figures 2 to 4 inclusive, the inner arm I at its outer end may have an internal sleeve 2 forming a stop or abutment within the tubular arm against which one end of a spring3 presses, the other end of said spring thrusting against a nut 4 on the endof a rod 5. The rod 5 extends through a reciprocating rack bar 6 sliding within the sleeve 2 and the rod and rack bar are` held together by a nut l. The nut 'I may be screwed inwardly or outwardly to adjust the tension on the spring 3.

Externally tted on the outer end of the arm I is a cylindrical bearing or sleeve member 8, which, in the form here shown, has its center bore or passageway at an angle so that the member 8 constitutes an eccentric bearing for adjusting the dip of the outer end of. the outer arm as described in my aforesaid application. The internal and external sleeves 2 and 8 respectively, are held in fixed relation on the ,end of the arm by means of a pin 9 extending through registering openure 4). Rotatably mounted on the sleeve is a `above mentioned.

yoke IU, said yoke having an internal groove II receiving the end of the pin 9 as a precautionary means to prevent the yoke from coming off the end of the arm. The yoke is also formed with a pair of laterally extending ears I2, said ears carrying a pivot pin or bolt I3, on which ears I4 of the outer arm I5 are pivotally mounted. The angle of the pivot pin I3 with respect to the axis of the inner arm may be adjusted through the following mechanism:-A xed abutment member I6 projects from the inner sleeve 2, and a pair of ears I'I project from the rotatable yoke IB. The abutment I6 is fitted within a threaded block I8 engaged by bolts I9 carried by the ears I'I. By manipulation of the bolts I9, the yoke I0 is caused to rotate to change the tilt of the pivot pin I3, as more fully described in my aforesaid application for patent.

In the form of invention here shown, the outer arm I5 is pivoted on the pin I3, and interlocked with said arm or formed integrally therewith, is a toothed element 20, which is enmeshed with the rack bar 6, and in cooperation therewith functions more or less as a rack and pinion connection. The rack bar 6 is shown as toothed on all sides as the particular device illustrated was turned on a lathe, but as a practical matter, the teeth may be limited to the side enmeshed with the gear 20. As the outer arm I5 swings or moves to closed position, reciprocation is imparted to the rack bar 6 through the enmeshed toothed connection 20 to move said bar against the pressure of the spring 3, and the end of the bar may be projected out beyond the end of the inner arm when the outer arm is fully closed or collapsed. In View of the fact that the pivot pin I 3 is tiltable to eiect a tilting operation of the outer arm I5 to insure proper opening and closing operations, the enmeshed toothed elements, the rack bar 6 and the element 20, must be arranged to accommodate tilting movement of the pin I3 without disengagement of their enmeshed relation. One simple means of accommodating this tilting adjustment is through bevelling the opening 2I forming the axis of rotation of the pinion element 2B on the pivot pin I3. The element 20, in the form here shown, is interlocked with the outer arm I5 through engagement of the web portion 22 carrying the ears I4, in a notch in the periphery of gear 2U. In practice, it'rnay be found necessary to bevel either the edges of the web 22 or the side walls of the notch in the gear 20 (depending on the thickness of these members) to accommodate the tilting adjustment Obviously, however, since only one wall of the notch 20 is subjected to pressure, the other wall of said notch can be cut away so that there will be no binding of the parts on rocking or tilting adjustment of the parts. With this type of construction, it will be evident that the force of the spring 3, exerted to open the outer arm, is greatest when the outer arm is completely collapsed or in folded position, consequently, in the closing of the awning, the force required must be progressively increased until closed position is finally attained. As this variation of pressure may at times prove objectionable, a modied form of the invention will now be described.

In order to provide a construction in which the spring may exert substantially the same force on the outer arm in both open and closed position, the modied structure of Figures 5 to 10 inclusive, may be used, in which, as the spring expands and its tension decreases, the loss of force is compensated for by increasing its leverage on the outer arm. Also in Figures 5 to 10 inclusive, the eccentric cylinder construction of the previous gures of the drawings, is not employed to support the rotatably adjustable yoke, but a coaxial cylinder, which may be straight or tapered, is used for securing the tilting adjustment of the pin connecting the arms. Furthermore, in the construction shown in Figures 5 to 10 inclusive, the opening movement of the outer arm is limited through adjustably controlling the travel of the enmeshed toothed element.

The means for adjusting the tilt of the pivot and consequently of the outer arm will be rst described, without reference to the tension means for the arms. The outer end of the tubular inner arm 23 is provided in its end with a tubular coaxial cylindrical extension sleeve member 24, which is permanently secured to the arm by means of a pin or key 25. Adjustable rotatably on the sleeve member 24 is a yoke 26 formed with a pair of laterally projecting ears 2'I carrying the pivot pin 28, which pivotally engages the eyes 29 formed on the inner end of the outer arm 30. In this type of construction, 3| indicates an external sleeve, corresponding partly in function to the internal sleeve 2 of Figures 2 to 4, since said external sleeve is the abutment point from which rotative adjusting is imparted to the yoke 26, as will hereinafter appear. Externally projecting from the cylinder member 24 are a plurality of lugs 32 which preferably also have tapering surfaces as shown in Figure 6, to prevent outward displacement of sleeve 3I. The sleeve 3l is loosely fitted on the inner arm so that it may be slipped back and forth to engage and disengage its internal grooves 33 with lugs 32. When out of engagement with lugs 32, the sleeve 3| may also be rotated to accommodate right or left hand folding outer arms. The interlocking of grooves 33 and lugs 32 provides for a range of rotative adjustment of sleeve 3l to the member 24. This sleeve 3I also carries a projecting abutment lug 34 which is fitted between a pair of ears 35 carried by the rotatable yoke 26. The ears 35 of the yoke carry threaded bolts 36 which, by thrusting against opposite sides of the abutment lug 34eiect rotative adjustment of the yoke, and consequently eiTect the tilting of the pivot pin. or bolt 28 connecting the outer an-d inner arms.

The construction for securing the variable leverage and outer arm stop, will now be described. The enmeshed connections for tensioning the outer arm are the same in all respects as that above described, except the reciprocating rack bar 3'I is formed as an inclined plane, and the cooperating toothed element 38 is eccentrically rotatably mounted on the pivot bolt 28, as shown in Figures 6 to 10 inclusive. With this construction it will be evident that With the arm fully open as shown, the leverage of the spring on the outer arm is at its maximum when the spring tension is at its minimum, and that as the cam or eccentric toothed portion rotates the. leverage of the spring on the outer arm decreases to its minimumv as the spring tension attains its maximum.

To limit the opening movement of the outer arm, since this .arm must not'be permitted to reach alinement with the inner arm, the rack bar 31 is formed at its outer end with an externally 'threaded head 39 carrying .a nut 46. On withdrawal movement of the rack bar into the arm during the opening of the outer arm, the nut 40 approaches and finally contacts the bifurcated end of the sleeve 26 and thus prevents further movement of the outer arm 30 as will be readily understood. By manipulation of the nut 40, the opening movement of the outer arm may be adjusted, since a slight movement of the nut will cause a relatively large adjustment at the outer end of the outer arm.

In Figures 11 to 15 inclusive, the inner casting fil, formed integrally with ears 42 through which the usual pivot bolt 43 passes, is in the form of a hollow socket or yoke within which the inner end of the inner arm 44, is rotatably secured by the following mechanism: The socket in the casting 4l is of tapered shape, and fitted on the outside of the end of the arm 44 and secured rigidly in position by a pin 45, is a pair of cone members 45 corresponding in taper to the taper of the socket. Within the end of the arm, a plug 41 (comprising a pair of similar members), is fitted, and said plug is held by the pin 45, and is formed with a square socket to receive and non-rotatably hold the head 48 of a bolt 49 which projects longitudinally through an opening in the plug.

The bottom of the socket in the casing 44 is closed by a web portion 50, and rearward of the web, the socket is provided with a chamber I having an opening 52 through the side wall of the casting. Slipped into position through an opening 52 and threaded on the end of the bolt 49, is a nut 53 provided with notches 54 in its periphery whereby the end of a rod or lever may be manipulated through an opening 52 torotate the nut to draw the end of the arm tightly down and clamp it against rotation. In the operation of this construction, to secure an adjustment of the intermediate pivot, the tapering cone members 4B extend beyond the socket of the casting 44 and terminate in hexagonal portions 55, Figure 15, whereby the arm may be rotated after the nut 53 has been backed away to relieve the clamping pressure. This hexagonal portion, of course, is merely a matter of convenience for engagement by a wrench since the members are usually so tightly interlocked that it is diiiicult to loosen them.

With the above mechanism for adjusting the tilt of the intermediate pivot, it will be apparent that the construction at the outer end of the inner arm may be materially simplified as compared with the construction heretofore described. Therefore, in Figures 11 to 17 inclusive, the outer end of the inner arm is provided with a yoke 56 which is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the end of the arm as at 51. The yoke 56 is integral with a pair of ears 58 receiving the pivot bolt 59 for the pivotal support of the inner end of the outer arm 60, Figure 11.

If this construction is to be provided with the tension means heretofore mentioned, it may comprise the following: 6I is a hollow rack bar provided with teeth 62 cast on an are and enmeshed with an eccentrically journaled toothed member 63 interlocked with the outer arm 50. Extending through the rack bar 6I is a spring tensioning rod 64 carrying a compression head or element 65 contacting with one end of the spring 56. The other end of the spring 66 contacts an internal shoulder or ring 61 secured within the arm 44 in any suitable manner, and the outer end of the rod is threaded for the reception of the tension adjusting nut 68. An adjustable stop to limit the range of opening movement .of the outer arm, may be provided by forming the end of theV rack bar 6I with a laterally extending bar 69 in which is threaded a stop bolt 10, which, by contacting the end of the arm 44 or its yoke 56, limits the distance the reciprocating rack bar may move into the arm, and thus limits the opening movement of the outer arm as hereinbefore described.

It is believed the construction and operation of the parts have been described in suicient detail to render recapitulation unnecessary. From the above description, it will be apparent that I have produced a construction possessing all of the features of advantage set forth as desirable; and while I have described and illustrated what now appear to be the preferred constructions, it is to be understood that I reserve the right to all changes within the spirit of the invention and without the ambit of the prior art.

I claim:-

1. A lateral arm awning arm having its opposite ends relatively rotatable around a longitudinal axis, and means to lock said ends in adjusted position. Y

2. A lateral arm awning arm comprising a socket member, an arm member rotatively fitted in said socket, and a clamping member for securing said arm against rotation Within the socket.

3. The combination in a lateral arm awning, of an inner arm having a pivot pin at its outer end, an outer arm pivoted on said pin, means to tilt the outer arm in relation to the inner arm, and enmeshed toothed element carried by the arms and accommodating the tilting of the outer arm.

4. The combination in a lateral arm awning, of a tubular inner arm having a pivot pin at its outer end, an outer arm pivoted on said pin, a member mounted for reciprocating Within the outer end of the inner arm, resilient means within the outer arm exerting tension on said member, a connecting element moving with the pivotal movement of the outer arm and connected to the reciprocating member, and an abutment member longitudinally adjustable on the reciprocating member and adapted to limit movement of the latter in one direction by contact with the end of the inner arm.

5. The combination in a lateral arm awning, of a tubular inner arm, a yoke rotatably adjustable on the outer end of said arm, a pivot pin carried by said yoke, an outer arm pivoted on said pin, a rack bar mounted for reciprocating within the outer end of the outer arm, resilient means within the outer arm exerting tension on the rack bar, and toothed means moving with pivotal movement of the outer arm and enmeshed with the rack bar to accommodate changes in the angle of the pivot pin due to rotative adjustment of the yoke.

6. The combination in a lateral arm awning, of a tubular inner arm, a tubular sleeve secured within the outer end of the arm and forming an abutment shoulder within said arm, a rack bar reciprocating within said sleeve, resilient means exerting pressure in opposite directions on the abutment shoulder and rack bar, an outer arm pivoted to the inner arm, and a toothed element moving with the pivotal movement of the outer arm and enmeshed with the rack bar.

7. The combination in a lateral arm awning, of a tubular inner arm, a tubular sleeve secured within the outer end of the arm and forming an abutment shoulder within said arm, a rack bar reciprocating within said sleeve, resilient means exerting pressure in opposite directions on the abutment shoulder and rack bar, an adjustable stop on the rack bar to limit its movement in one direction within said sleeve, an outer arm pivoted to the inner arm, and a toothed element moving With the pivotal movement of the outer arm and enmeshed With the rack bar.

8. The combination in a lateral arm awning, of a tubular inner arm, a tubular sleeve secured Within the outer end of the arm and forming an abutment shoulder within said arm, a rack bar reciprocating within said sleeve, resilient means exerting pressure in opposite directions on the abutment shoulder and rack bar, a yoke rotatably carried by the outer end of said arm, an outer awning arm pivoted to said yoke, and toothed means enmeshed with the rack bar and moving with the pivotal movement of the outer arm.

9. 'I'he combination in a lateral arm awning, of a tubular inner arm, a tubular sleeve non-rotatably secured within the outer end of the -arm and forming lan abutment shoulder Within said arm, a rack bar reciprocating Within said sleeve, resilient means exerting pressure in opposite directions on the abutment shoulder and rack bar, a bifurcated yoke rotatively mounted on one end of said arm, a second sleeve interlocked With the first named sleeve, means interconnecting the second sleeve and yoke for rotative adjustment of the latter, an outer awning arm pivoted to said yoke, and toothed means enmeshed With the rack bar and moving with the pivotal movement of the outer arm.

l0. Mechanism for tilting the pivot of a lateral arm, comprising a support, a yoke rotatable around said support, an external sleeve adjustably nterlocked with the support, and a connection between said sleeve and yoke for rotative adjustment of the latter.

11. Mechanism for tilting the pivot of a lateral arm, comprising a support provided with external lugs, a yoke rotatable around said support, a sleeve slidably and rotatably related to the support and adapted for interlocking engagement with the sleeve lugs, and means interconnecting the sleeve and yoke for eiecting rotative adjustment of the latter.

FREDERICK A. ANTON. 

